Wingmaster Confusion

[Jalibass]

Hi Guys,

I picked up my wife's barrel dated June 1977 (her birth month and year) 870 Wingmaster 20 gauge. While I was waiting on the 10 day & dros I purchased a 20" improved cylinder smooth bore rifle sight barrel.
Because the receiver wasn't a light weight 20 gauge, I purchased a non-light weight 20" barrel.

When my wife went to put the 20" barrel on the receiver we noticed the ring on the barrel was too small to go over the magazine tube. The 28" barrel that came with the shotgun is fat on the receiver end and tapers quickly to become 20 gauge.

The 28" vent rib barrel from my magnum 12 gauge wingmaster mates to the 20 gauge's receiver perfectly but the slide does not cycle all the way down nor does 12 gauge ammunition fit into the 20 gauge's magazine tube. So from that I conclude this is for sure a 20 gauge wingmaster but what nomenclature do I look for to acquire a 20" rifle sight smooth bore improved cylinder barrel?

The receiver says Remington Wingmaster 870 Serial #T715892X. The barrel that fits the 20 gauge receiver just says 20 gauge for 2 3/4" shells MOD. V PO 33 and on the other side a star followed by Remington Arms Co Inc Ilion NY made in the USA.
I believe that means modified June 1977?

Anyway any help would be much appreciated.

- Jason

[Ducky's Dad]

The early WingMaster 20s were built on the 12 ga frame, and they will only take barrels made for that frame. Sounds like you may have one of those guns. Great guns, but, unfortunately, barrels for that frame are pretty hard to come by. They turn up occasionally.

All standard Model 870 2 3/4 and 3-inch barrels are interchangeable within gauge, with the exception of 20 gauge guns built prior to 1977. These guns can be distinguished by the serial number. The suffix on these 20 gauges will be either "X" or "N". If your serial number ends in either "X" or "N" please refer to our Specialty Parts Dealers for extra barrels.

http://support.remington.com/General_Information/Which_barrels_are_interchangeable_on_the_Models_870%2C_1100%2C_and_11-87%3F

Yours ends in "X".

[Thefeeder]

><

Remington made 20ga WM on their 12ga receivers....don't know the exact years.

From your post it would seem that the 20 and your 12 have the same size receiver...so my guess is you have a 20 on a 12 gun

Edit ...my typing is sloooooo

[Jalibass]

Can a 12 gauge magazine ring (not sure what it's called) be welded onto the 20 gauge barrel?

[Jalibass]

Great help! Thank you Ducky's.

[Ducky's Dad]

Can a 12 gauge magazine ring (not sure what it's called) be welded onto the 20 gauge barrel?

Call Bob Day at Americhoke, 562-923-3608. He's a barrel smith and a welder. Even if you can make the barrel work, forearm fit is probably going to be an issue. And you'll possibly have to find a donor barrel to cannibalize the mag ring. By the time you are done screwing with all that, might be smarter to just get another gun for slugs.

Check the Rem Specialty Parts Dealers and places like Corson's Barrels. Hastings also used to make replacement barrels for the 870.

[Jalibass]

If anyone knows of a rifle sight standard size 20 gauge smooth bore barrel I'd really appreciate any information.

[Jalibass]

Call Bob Day at Americhoke, 562-923-3608. He's a barrel smith and a welder. Even if you can make the barrel work, forearm fit is probably going to be an issue. And you'll possibly have to find a donor barrel to cannibalize the mag ring. By the time you are done screwing with all that, might be smarter to just get another gun for slugs.

Check the Rem Specialty Parts Dealers and places like Corson's Barrels. Hasting also used to make replacement barrels for the 870.

Thank you Sir. We're sentimental fools so the gun being flawless and the same month & birthyear as my bride I'd be willing to dump some more cash into it so she can have a defensive barrel when I'm out of town.

A rifle sight smooth bore improved cylinder barrel with a magazine full of 20 GA #1 buck will just make me feel better when I'm gone.

[Ducky's Dad]

so she can have a defensive barrel when I'm out of town.

A rifle sight smooth bore improved cylinder barrel with a magazine full of 20 GA #1 buck will just make me feel better when I'm gone.

At typical ranges for HD with a shotgun, rifle sights are unnecessary. If you can find any barrel that will fit your gun, Bob Day can cut it to length, install any choke you want, and fit a sight to it. He can also tweak it for POA/POI. It's only money.

[RayPDA]

Call corsons barrels - looks like they've got a couple of 870 std weight 20g barrels in shorter lengths.

[Jalibass]

Thank you guys, I wasn't sure what the heck I had.

[-hanko]

Thank you guys, I wasn't sure what the heck I had.

An "X" in the serial number indicates 12 ga frame.

[JagerDog]

Call corsons barrels - looks like they've got a couple of 870 std weight 20g barrels in shorter lengths.

I wouldn't wait if money is secondary.

[Jalibass]

X suffix is 12 gauge receiver 20 gauge 2 3/4" barrel & internals.
N suffix is 12 gauge receiver 20 gauge 3" barrel & internals.

Too embarrassed to say what I paid but a new old stock smooth bore rifle sight standard weight barrel is on the way. I really like this setup on paper, we'll have to see how it performs for her on a course. Similar Taylor KO factor (subjective I know) as all but the upper end of the S&W 500 with neglegable felt recoil and due to the sectional density a fraction of the penetration.

With the original 28" barrel and this barrel I can't think of what base isn't covered.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[Steve_In_29]

Post pics and let us know how your wife likes the new setup.